from special correspondent
for Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji (AF)

Panaji, Jan 23: Back from Delhi, Goa chief minister Digamber Kamat on Tuesday said that he would continue to be the chief minister till God wants him to be.

"I will continue to be the chief minister till God wants me to be," Kamat said talking to reporters at Goa airport on his return.

Digamber Kamat-led government survived a political crisis after NCP along with independents had withdrawn the support on January 16 when crucial Goa Appropriation Bill 2008 was planned to be passed on the floor of the house.

In a massive troubleshooting exercise, the Congress and NCP high command had intervened saving the seven-month-old government. The chief minister, who was in the national capital, on Friday January 18 had said that he was relying on God to save the government.

In what seems to be a blessing in disguise, Kamat's government got a shot in the arm when Save Goa Front (SGF), an alliance partner in the government, conceded to merge itself with Congress.

This will increase Congress strength in the house from 16 to 18.

Kamat said the cabinet reshuffle would be executed only after constituting the coordination committee comprising of Congress and NCP leaders.

"The committee will decide on the portfolios only after detailed deliberations on the issue," the chief minister said.

He stated that SGF merger has strengthened the Congress organization in the state.

Kamat has got a second chance in the last seven months after he took over the reigns of the state.